shantala

Benjy and Heather Wertheimer, also known as the musical duo Shantala, lead devotional chanting for workshops and at yoga centers across the U.S. and in Costa Rica.

Benjy Wertheimer, a founding member of the internationally acclaimed Ancient Future world fusion music ensemble, has studied Indian classical music for over 20 years with some of the greatest masters of that tradition (including Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Ali Akbar Khan and Z.M. Dagar).

An award-winning songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist (playing tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar, and keyboards) and vocalist, Benjy frequently tours and records with Krishna Das. He has also toured the US, Canada, and Japan with renowned bamboo flute master G.S. Sachdev, and opened for such artists as Carlos Santana, Paul Winter, and Narada Michael Walden.

Heather is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, yoga teacher, and therapist, whose beautiful vocals, unique perspectives and unusual depth reflect a wide array of human experiences. Heather performs and tours with Benjy and with virtuoso guitarist Michael Mandrell. She combines her special love of both music and yoga to lead devotional chanting for workshops and spiritual gatherings.

benjy wertheimer

An award-winning musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist (playing tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar, and keyboards), Benjy Wertheimer has toured the US, Canada, Europe, Central America and Japan, and has opened for such artists as Carlos Santana, Paul Winter, and Narada Michael Walden. A founding member of the groundbreaking Ancient Future World Fusion Music Ensemble, he now tours and records regularly with such artists as Krishna Das and Deva Premal.
He studied Indian classical music for over 25 years with some of the greatest masters of that tradition (including Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Ali Akbar Khan and Z. M. Dagar).